Gloucester pick up first PREM win thanks to Quins moment of madness

Gloucester recorded their first Gallagher Prem win of the season at the sixth attempt after beating Harlequins 26-15 at Kingsholm.

Full-back Ben Redshaw stole the show with two tries as Gloucester triumphed for the first time in league action since May.

Flanker Lewis Ludlow and wing Ollie Thorley also crossed for George Skivington’s team, securing a bonus-point success complemented by fly-half Ross Byrne kicking three conversions.

Quins, whose England star Marcus Smith endured a frustrating afternoon, trailed by only two points at the interval, but could not add to touchdowns from wing Cadan Murley and skipper Alex Dombrandt, with Smith adding a conversion and penalty.

The visitors produced only occasional glimpses of their trademark attacking game, and second-half inaccuracy cost them dear as Gloucester eased home without remotely hitting top gear.

Gloucester monopolised initial possession and territory but Quins struck from their first attack to take a 10th-minute lead when Murley applied a simple finish after centre Jarrod Evans’ pinpoint pass freed him in space.

The home side’s response, though, was immediate and impressive as Redshaw carved open the Quins defence, beating three players before side-stepping a fourth to claim an outstanding try that Byrne converted.

Quins remained on the back foot, with their cause not helped by losing tighthead prop Titi Lamositele to injury, yet it proved a rapid regrouping process with Dombrandt touching down for his 50th Premiership try before Smith’s conversion opened up a 12-7 lead.

Gloucester had lost their early zip, undermined by frustrating handling errors, and both sides’ lowly league positions accurately reflected a first half high on endeavour but lacking quality.

And there was an inevitability about a mistake gifting the game’s fourth try after Quins wing Rodrigo Isgro kicked wildly from deep inside his own 22, allowing Ludlow to gather and score on his 250th Gloucester appearance.

Byrne then further punished Isgro’s horrible blunder by converting and sending Gloucester in at half-time holding a 14-12 advantage.

A forgettable third quarter saw no change in the scoreline until Gloucester struck again on the hour mark as Redshaw pounced for his second try and Byrne’s conversion left Quins floundering.

Smith then cut the gap to six points through a well-struck penalty, yet Thorley took Gloucester clear courtesy of an impressive finish that highlighted a strong individual display and left Quins with no way back.

Quins went in search of a losing bonus as the clock ticked down, but Gloucester comfortably denied them and got their Prem campaign finally up and running.